Billy Gardell Remembers His Short-Lived AMC Wagon

The station wagon wasn't great, but it got Gardell where he needed to go.

The road to stardom is not always a straight line. It certainly wasn’t for Billy Gardell. The actor worked the comedy circuit for years while picking up bit parts on shows like “King of Queens” and “My Name is Earl.” That all changed in 2010, when Gardell starred in the sitcom “Mike and Molly.” The show, which ran for six seasons, was a huge success and helped launch the careers of Gardell and Melissa McCarthy. Now, he is back in a leading role, starring on CBS’ new comedy “Bob Hearts Abishola.”

Gardell has traveled quite a road. And it all started in a $300 car.

What was your first car?

My first car was an AMC Wagon.

How did you acquire it?

A friend of a friend sold it to me for $300.

What did you love most about the car?

There wasn’t anything I loved about it. I hated it. But it moved.

What is your favorite memory of the car?

I think my favorite memory was the day I realized I could drive anywhere I wanted without asking anyone.